Six years ago, Bruce Matthews was the presenter for Mike Munchak’s Pro Football Hall of Fame induction. This Saturday evening in Canton, their roles will be reversed.
Matthews was selected to the HOF earlier this year, in his first year of eligibility. His credentials are impressive.
Matthews never missed a game due to injury in his nineteen-year career, all with the Titans/Oilers organization. He played in an incredible 296 games, setting the NFL record (later surpassed by Jerry Rice, 303) among non-kickers. Also among his honors are the league record (tied with Merlin Olsen) for the most Pro Bowl appearances, with fourteen. Matthews was named a first-team All Pro nine times.
In the span of his career, Matthews played every position on the offensive line, and was a Pro Bowl selection nine times at guard and five at center. He started 99 games at left guard, 87 at center, 67 at right guard, 22 at right tackle, and 17 at left tackle.
Munchak said if Matthews hadn’t been moved around so much, he would have received more recognition earlier in his career and been in even more Pro Bowls.
Matthews will become the seventh member of the Titans/Oilers franchise in the Hall of Fame, joining QB George Blanda (class of 1981), S Ken Houston (1986), RB Earl Campbell (1991), G Mike Munchak (2001), DE Elvin Bethea (2003) and QB Warren Moon (2006). He’ll be the first one who played for the Tennessee Titans.
NFL Network will televise the induction ceremonies beginning at 6:00 pm ET Saturday. You can listen live on the internet on 104.5 The Zone. Middle Tennessee residents can listen on 104.5 FM.
Congratulations, Bruce, for this recognition you so richly deserve.
Total Titans readers: If any of you are going to Canton for the induction ceremonies, please let me know.
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